With summer in full swing, have you been thinking about making upgrades to the paving outside of your home or business? You have probably looked up different methods, from pavers to gravel and everything in between. After deciding which material is best, you have decided to go with asphalt. Great choice! It is sought-after material for everything from commercial projects to residential driveways. Every year, as paving professionals, we work with customers just like you to help them decide what is best for their project. We broke down the process for asphalt paving into three simple sections to give you an inside look, step by step.

Planning and Evaluation Stages of Paving

Determine Your Factors

Before any project begins, ask yourself, what is the end goal, your budget and time frame? Are you looking for something long-term, or a temporary solution? Will you be starting from scratch, or is there an existing structure in place? Knowing the answers to these questions will help when you are shopping around for a team of professionals.

Understanding the Asphalt Paving vs Blacktop Paving Process

Black top and asphalt are often interchangeable. While blacktop is a type of asphalt, it is primarily used for basketball and tennis courts at parks and residential driveways; while asphalt is generally what you will see on airport tarmacs, major highways and streets. As a result, asphalt projects will have to withstand heavier, more frequent traffic than the foot traffic at your home or local park. The type of project helps determine which is used, typically the asphalt paving and blacktop paving installation processes are similar.

Contact a Team of Asphalt Pavement Professionals

It is important to find a team that is able to work with your vision and limits. Contact a few companies and read their reviews and testimonials to get a first-hand account of their work. Request images and ask questions. Remember, the cheapest option does not necessarily mean it is the best.

Once you find a team, they will be able to evaluate the existing situation. Will small repairs satisfy or will cracks and warping call for a more involved project? They will start with the health of the base. Without a strong foundation, your project is sure to face issues in the future. The team will also look at drainage and make recommendations to help avoid the pooling of water and other issues revolving around the slope of the ground. It is important to first determine these conditions before beginning to avoid hold ups and added costs once the process begins.  Here at Limitless Golden Construction, we offer free estimates, with the option for virtual quoting. You can request yours here.

Secure Permits for the Asphalt Paving Process

Once you know the scope, you will be able to apply for any permits you might need. Whether the city, town or state, or even a more local HOA, there could be rules and guidelines you must adhere to. These include the type of material you can use, the areas you are allowed to alter, techniques used, heights, colors, and other feature guidelines. Check with your governing bodies first to gain approval and avoid project stalls and halts, and other headaches.

The Asphalt Pavement Installation Stages

Make Way for a New Asphalt Surface

Before you can bring in new asphalt, your team of asphalt pavers will remove the existing surface, whether just the top few layers, or completely down to the base. The team will bring in machines and remove any excess debris. Older asphalt can be recycled or reused for a more environmentally- and financially-friendly options. Talk to your team if you would be interested in learning more about using recycled asphalt.

Tend to The Base

As we mentioned above, the subbase provides support and stability. This base serves as a buffer between the ground and the actual asphalt material. When tending to the base, your team will level out any underlying issues to avoid potholes, pooling water and erosion. They will also ensure the thickness matches the intended use of the project. The heavier the traffic you expect, the thicker it should be.

Begin the Asphalt Pouring

Finally comes the moment we have all been waiting for. Binder is a special mix that is poured to add strength. Asphalt is then poured, followed by a rolling process. This will smooth out any bumps that might have occurred during the pouring. After, allow the surface to cool and dry.

Final Touches in the Asphalt Paving Process

Establish a Regular Maintenance Routine

Work with your asphalt paving team to create a regular maintenance plan. This includes sweeping or washing away any debris that can cause harm, filling any cracks before they escalate and tending to foliage. Seeds can be carried in the wind, which can sprout in any chips. This can potentially cause larger cracks that will lead to bigger repair projects. These cracks can also result in safety hazards on sporting surfaces and unsafe walkways in parking lots. If you are unsure if something you see could be problematic, call in your team to evaluate. 

Finish with a Seal

Sealcoating is a special layer poured on top of your finished project to help combat the elements. This includes grease, gas and radiator droppings from cars in parking lots, the sun’s harsh rays and more. It will also provide an aesthetically pleasing shine to the finished project. You will want to do this before the colder winter months, especially in the northeast where harsh winters can be unforgiving to outdoor surfaces.

The Extras

Does your project need any commercial markings such as painted lines? Parking lots will need stall lines properly measured to maximize space without cramming in vehicles. Identify walkways with signage installed for stops, yields and other commands. Basketball courts will need foul lines, and tennis courts will need base lines. Talk to your team about these additions.

Do you have more questions about the asphalt paving process? Contact our team of professional asphalt contractors at Limitless Golden Construction today to learn more or sign up for a free consultation. Want to hear what our customers have to say? Check out our testimonials and our Instagram for photos of our work. We service residential and commercial projects near Putnam and Westchester County in New York. Call us today at 914-810-3125.